Iraq begins nationwide production shutdowns

With exports halted by war, Iraq has limited options to keep fields operating and has begun taking millions of barrels of daily production offline.

Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani (center) meets with his deputies to plan for production cuts in anticipation of a shutdown in southern oil exports on March 2, 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Energy

Damascus moves to centralize control over Syrian oil sector

Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria are losing their hold on the country’s largest oil fields as foreign investors look for opportunities.

Politics

Government formation stalemate deepens

Nouri al-Maliki's path to the premiership becomes increasingly unlikely as political power brokers struggle to contend with U.S. opposition and regional uncertainty.

Security

Iraqi oil shutdowns loom as U.S. attacks Iran

Some production is already offline and Iraqi oil officials are bracing for a total loss of southern exports.

Interviews

Q&A: Muntaser Kadhim Haloub, deputy director general of the South Refineries Company

Southern Iraq's refining sector is expanding, creating a better supply of high-quality fuels and rising demand for crude feedstock.